Illini defense has kept opponents guessing this year

CHAMPAIGN — Quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase is happy not to play against the Illinois defense.

By JOHN SUPINIE

The State Journal-Register

By JOHN SUPINIE

Posted Oct. 12, 2011 at 12:01 AM
Updated Oct 12, 2011 at 11:04 AM

By JOHN SUPINIE

Posted Oct. 12, 2011 at 12:01 AM
Updated Oct 12, 2011 at 11:04 AM

CHAMPAIGN — Quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase is happy not to play against the Illinois defense.

Short on NFL first-rounders but long on coachability, the Illini have grasped the concepts from second-year coordinator Vic Koenning and have followed directions. The process leaves quarterbacks dizzy and offensive linemen unable to predict what’s coming next.

“They’re so diverse in how they line up,’’ Scheelhaase said. “They may line up five different ways to run the same defense. When they throw in five defensive backs but really play seven men in the box, it’s not something you see a lot, especially in our conference. You don’t have a lot of super diverse defenses.

“I’m sure it makes it a lot different to prepare for them when you only have a week.’’

No. 16 Illinois (6-0 overall, 2-0 in the Big Ten Conference) hosts Ohio State (3-3, 0-2) in a Big Ten game Saturday (2:30 p.m., ABC), when the Buckeyes will benefit from the return of players suspended during an offseason scandal that cost coach Jim Tressel his job.

An Illinois defense built upon deception and multiple formations will face more power football in the season’s second half. Ohio State will run behind a fullback, protect the quarterback with seven or eight blockers and bring a lineup lifted up by some of the nation’s best recruiting.

Penn State and Wisconsin also will play old-fashioned football against the Illini later this fall, instead of the string of spread offenses Illinois faced in the season’s first half.

While limiting teams to 79.6 rushing yards per game to rank second in the Big Ten and ninth in the nation, the Illini also lead the Big Ten and rank sixth in the nation with 3.67 sacks per game — paced by defensive end Whitney Mercilus’ 8.5 sacks that lead the nation.

“They confuse you,’’ Illini offensive coordinator Paul Petrino said. “Vic does a great job of confusing the quarterback and confusing the offensive line. He does so many different things.

“There’s no one else in the league that compares to them. If you don’t do a good job of preparing for them, they’ll confuse you and get after you.’’

Sometimes, Koenning said, the Illini confuse themselves. He would like to play more fundamental defense with four down linemen and three linebackers, but he devised a scheme that would help defend spreads and use speed found in recruiting. Some teams just can’t play it straight after loading the roster with five-star recruits.

“I would like to say the strength of our defense is that we play hard and run to the football,’’ Koenning said. “We want to be fundamentally sound while still having fun and not just sitting back in being in a base defense.

Page 2 of 2 - “Kids seem to like to blitz. Kids seem to like to be aggressive. You’d like to play fundamental, four-man rush football, have the same mentality. That isn’t necessarily the case.’’

The 6-foot-4, 265-pound Mercilus doesn’t overpower them with his size. He’s explosive but isn’t a blur.

“Some of the things happen for Whitney because he’s doing what’s right,’’ Koenning said. “He’s fundamentally sound. I think he just does things right.’’

Beginning with Ohio State, the Illini will face more power football.

“It appears like that,’’ Koenning said. “I’m not worried about the second half of the season as much as the Buckeyes. That’s definitely going to be the case with these guys. They do throw the play-action pass, protect with seven or eight, not let you get to them. It’s going to be a great test for our guys.’’

The Illini will use a four-man front more, so massive defensive tackle Craig Wilson, a converted offensive linemen who saw more action against Indiana last week, will likely get more snaps.

“He’s coming along in practice,’’ bandit linebacker Michael Buchanan said. “He’s really starting to learn the position better. He’s looking more like a defensive player now.’’

John Supinie can be reached at 377-1977. Follow him on Twitter @JohnSupinie.